The Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory recently became the first agency in the country to receive approval from the FBI to conduct Rapid DNA booking operations.
This will enable the crime lab to immediately analyze and compare DNA samples collected from a qualifying arrestee to evidence samples in the Combined DNA Index System.
For more than three years, personnel at crime lab have been working with the FBI and other states to develop a Rapid DNA program with the goal of integrating Rapid DNA into the booking environment. Rapid DNA is the fully automated process of developing a DNA profile from a buccal (cheek) swab without human intervention. The implementation of a Rapid DNA Booking Program requires a lengthy policy review and special approval known as an Authority to Operate.
The LSPCL is the first agency in the country to receive FBI ATO for conducting Rapid DNA booking operations.
From an approved booking station, the DNA profiles collected from qualifying arrestees will be generated by an FBI-approved Rapid DNA instrument and searched in CODIS against DNA profiles developed from crime scene evidence.
Positive CODIS search results will be communicated automatically to both the investigating and booking agencies while the arrestee is still in custody. This process, which may take approximately 90 minutes, is designed to prevent a wanted suspect from being unknowingly released prior to the return of traditional DNA results.
